Reconstructions Reconstructed

Kerry Livgren | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 30, 1998)
• Label: Numavox
• ASIN: B00000F1TC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #162,136 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Kerry Livgren was born in Topeka, Kansas the first son in a family of six. Drawn to music at a young age, his first musical interests developed with classical and jazz influences while his peers were embracing Elvis Presley. Starting with an electric guitar he built himself, Kerry focused on writing songs as he learned to play -- seeking to create songs that if nothing else, were original.

Kerry's first band was the Gimlets, which he formed with several close friends in high school. After school and on weekends, they soon found themselves booked throughout Kansas and neighboring Missouri. Kerry's involvement with the band continued through college, before joining the Mellotones, a mainstream rhythm and blues band. Driven by a desire for more creative expression, Kerry formed Saratoga, who played for audience members around the area, including a young drummer named Phil Ehart and a bass player, Dave Hope.

In 1970, they formed the group, Kansas, combining the best members from their respective bands. Known for their sometimes bizarre originality, the band went through several iterations before becoming the six-member group signed by Don Kirshner in 1973. Kerry remained with the band for 13 years as the band's primary song writer, lead guitarist and keyboard player. Penning such hits as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind," Kerry propelled the band to worldwide success and critical acclaim, with numerous gold and multi-platinum albums, and over 14 million recordings sold to date.

In 1980, after becoming an evangelical Christian, Kerry Livgren released his first solo work, Seeds of Change, featuring vocalists Ronnie James Dio and David Pack of Ambrosia, Jethro Tull’s drummer Barriemore Barlow, and guest spots by friends from Kansas. Also accompanying the album was Kerry's autobiographical book of the same name. Together, they expressed the passage and resolution of Kerry's years-long spiritual journey, often the subject of his songs with Kansas.

Following his departure from Kansas in 1983, Kerry recorded his second self-produced album for CBS, Timeline, in the same year. With the musicians involved in that project, he formed the band, AD. Between 1983 and 1986, the band released two albums and toured extensively.

Kerry next signed with Sparrow records and released Prime Mover in 1988, followed by his first instrumental work, One of Several Possible Musiks in 1989. Exploring a new musical direction, this confluence of orchestral and rock styles received the Dove Award for Instrumental Album of the Year.

Livgren concluded this period with his final album for Sparrow. Decade was a double CD retrospective marking ten years since his first solo recording. Featuring two complete albums, excerpts from others and previously unreleased songs, the set continues to be highly regarded among enthusiasts of his music.

In 1994, Kerry moved from Atlanta back to his home town of Topeka Kansas. Once there, he initiated his production companies, Grandyzine, and record company, Numavox Records. As part of this work, he constructed a state-of-the-art recording and production facility on his farm, in the frame of a restored barn. This studio would serve as the nexus of his and many other musician's work through the present day.

"Though I dearly love Georgia, it was great to be back in Kansas (the state) again. I immediately felt at home. There's something about returning to your roots that's inspiring." Composed over the period of two years, Kerry's next album clearly expressed this sentiment as one his most celebrated. Entitled "When Things Get Electric," this 1995 release was also the debut album for Kerry's new label.

Over the next several years, Mr. Livgren worked on recording projects with other artists, before returning to solo work in 1997. That year saw the release of his first soundtrack, for the third SONY's Mind's Eye computer animation feature, comprising the work of more than 100 computer artists. Numavox released Prime

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars AD's Reconstructions album "reconstructed", December 28, 2004

By 

Jay Shelton (Texas, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reconstructions Reconstructed (Audio CD)

Being an owner of the original "Reconstructions" LP from 1986, I found this re-release to be a much more enjoyable listening experience, as much of the music is more "fleshed out" in this reconstructed released. This album was done on the heals of the highly recommended "Art of the State" by AD (the best album you've never heard), but unfortunately, this album turned out to be for the most part a two-man project between Kerry Livgren and Michael Gleason, as lead-vocalist and woodwind artist Warren Ham had left the band after the "Art of the State" world tour. Gleason handles all of the vocal duties on this release, including the three additional songs: All in Time (originally recorded during the Reconstructions studio sessions in 1986 but never released until now), Free Fire Zone, and Bright Star (both originally released on the now out-of-print Livgren release "Decade"). Dennis Holt, the drummer for AD, appears on a handful of songs, with the remaining percussion performed, re-done and remixed by Kerry, and Dave Hope plays bass on about half of the songs, with the remainder falling to Kerry. The contrast between the original 1986 released and this reconstructed version is noticeable, with better percussion, drums, and in the case of two songs, new introductions. While the vocals remain untouched, Kerry has re-mastered the album for an overall "tighter" band sound. If you are an AD fan or Kerry Livgren fan, you will want to own this CD. On a sidenote, all of the album art was also "reconstructed" for this release.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good vintage AD stuff, January 9, 2007

By 

G. Kiser (Bluff City, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reconstructions Reconstructed (Audio CD)

Being a Kerry Livgren fan, this is a great recording while his band AD was up and running; and this particular CD is a remastering of the original. The changes are subtle on some songs, but on others it is much brighter and clearer (great work guys!). Of course, my favorite song on this CD is "No Standing". It is one of the more noticeable "reconstructions"... very bright and clear... and even seems louder. The style of the song is reminiscent of "Dust in the Wind" when Kerry was with Kansas. "Exiles" has a very unique sound in the intro and throughout the song (reminds me of Chinese music... LOL). It isn't, of course; in fact it is a catchy rock song. "One Golden Thread" and "Highway to the Heart" have very catchy guitar rifts and Kerry, of course, shines in the guitar solos. Love the flute on "Free Fire Zone"! And, last, but not least is "Bright Star" which has a moving melody and fantastic lyrics. If you are a progressive rock fan, I recommend this one as a good sample of AD's sound!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars By far Livgren's best guitar work. A lost classic., March 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Reconstructions Reconstructed (Audio CD)

This album would be destined to be a staple of your lsitening diet if you love solid Christian rock. It contains what I believe is the best song Livgren ever wrote: "We Draw The Line." If you can get a hold of a copy you will enjoy this work.